Environmental Geology Cheat Sheet
The core ideas of Environmental Geology distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.
Quick Reference
Groundwater Contamination
The degradation of groundwater quality by human activities or natural processes that introduce harmful substances such as heavy metals, nitrates, pesticides, or industrial solvents into aquifer systems. Contaminant transport depends on aquifer permeability, hydraulic gradient, and the chemical properties of the pollutant.
Mass Wasting
The downslope movement of rock, soil, and debris under the influence of gravity. Types include rockfalls, landslides, mudflows, and creep, each characterized by different speeds, materials, and triggering mechanisms such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human excavation.
Plate Tectonics and Seismic Hazards
The theory that Earth's lithosphere is divided into rigid plates that move, collide, and separate, generating earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis along plate boundaries. Environmental geologists assess seismic risk to guide building codes and land-use decisions.
Soil Erosion and Conservation
The removal of topsoil by wind, water, or tillage at rates exceeding natural soil formation. Erosion degrades agricultural productivity, increases sedimentation in waterways, and can trigger downstream flooding. Conservation measures include terracing, contour plowing, and vegetative cover.
Hydrogeology
The study of the distribution and movement of groundwater through rock and soil. Hydrogeologists characterize aquifers, measure hydraulic conductivity, and model flow paths to manage water supply, assess contamination plumes, and design remediation strategies.
Volcanic Hazards
Dangers associated with volcanic eruptions, including lava flows, pyroclastic flows, lahars, ashfall, and volcanic gases. Hazard assessment involves mapping past deposits, monitoring seismic activity and gas emissions, and establishing exclusion zones.
Subsidence and Sinkholes
The gradual or sudden sinking of the ground surface caused by the removal of subsurface support. Causes include excessive groundwater pumping, dissolution of soluble bedrock (karst processes), mining activity, and compaction of organic soils.
Environmental Site Assessment
A systematic investigation of a property to identify potential or existing environmental contamination. Phase I assessments review historical records and conduct site inspections; Phase II assessments involve subsurface sampling and laboratory analysis to confirm contamination.
Flood Hazards and Floodplain Management
The assessment of flood risk based on hydrological data, geomorphic analysis, and statistical recurrence intervals. Floodplain management involves zoning regulations, levee construction, and floodplain restoration to reduce damage from inundation events.
Geologic Carbon Sequestration
The capture of carbon dioxide from industrial sources and its injection into deep geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs, saline aquifers, or unmineable coal seams for long-term storage, reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
Key Terms at a Glance
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